Top dog-friendly country parks in England

Looking for a dog-friendly country park to visit on your next holiday? If there’s one thing we love here at Canine Cottages, it’s taking our pooch out and about. Country parks are awesome because they have acres upon acres of wonderful places to run and play with your best pal. It's where you can meet other dog owners and generally have a good time too in gorgeous surroundings. Whether you have a dog who likes an easy stroll, sniffing the air and meeting the odd new chum or you have a pack of hounds whose only interest is to run for miles and miles, we have the country park for you!

As with most country parks, they are often surrounded by livestock and are breeding grounds for wildlife so if you have an inquisitive dog, remember to keep it under control at all times. You may also meet horses with riders or wild ponies in certain areas so make sure to keep pooches who are not so keen on our equine friends on leads.

We have compiled a list of our favourite dog-friendly country parks for you – all you need to do is grab your walking gear, grab the dog and have a great time!

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Hastings Country Park, East Sussex

Covering 660 acres of nature trails, wild wooded valleys, footpaths and glens covered with gorse and trees, Hastings Country Park is situated to the east of the seaside town of Hastings on the Sussex coast. Spectacular sandstone cliffs protect the park from the sea and the clifftop views are simply stunning, reaching across the English Channel with views to France on a clear day. Set in the High Weald National Landscape, a large part of the park is now a Special Area of Conservation. The Hastings Cliffs to Pett Beach is a SSSI and it also incorporates Hastings Country Park and Fairlight Place Farm as a Local Nature Reserve. As you walk with your dog, you will see a variety of wildlife including Peregrines which breed on the high cliffs and Yellowhammers which breed on the gorse-covered hillsides. 

The area is so big that you can take a long solitary walk with just your dog for company, or visit one of the more popular areas where you’ll meet lots of friendly dog walkers.The Firehills is one of the best areas and has its own Visitor Centre; you can head along to the nearby dog-friendly tea rooms afterwards where you can have a well-deserved cream tea and look across the hills towards France.

Pugneys Country Park, Yorkshire

A beautiful, 250-acre lake and a local nature reserve, Pugneys Country Park in Wakefield in West Yorkshire is one of many great spots in dog-friendly Yorkshire. Originally a mine and sand and gravel quarry, it now offers two gorgeous lakes overlooked by the imposing remains of Sandal Castle.

The larger lake is great for water sports so head for the smaller one if your dog likes to chase coloured moving things! The latter however is designated as a nature reserve so dogs need to be kept under close control, especially around the 100 or so swans who have made the lake their home. The path is flat so great for older dogs or those who are not so mobile anymore. While wonderful for walkies in summer, there is something about this glacial lake covered by grey skies in winter that makes you want to have a brisk walk and then return to your holiday rental to sit by the fire. That’s our kind of winter walk! Looking for more Yorkshire walks? Why not visit our guide?

Holt Country Park, Norfolk

Norfolk is known as one of the friendliest places for waggy tails in the UK! Situated just a short drive from the elegant Georgian town of Holt, Holt Country Park is a wonderful escape from urban life. Awarded a Green Flag, the park is brilliant for those who don’t have the same sense of smell as their dog!

If you’re always ending up getting lost on long walks, you will love it here as all trails lead back to the Visitor Centre – they are colour coded, so just pick up a map from the visitor centre. The park is ideal not only for energetic young dogs and humans who like to be out for hours but also those who just like a short stroll. Delve right into the heart of the woods where your dog can sniff amongst the bracken and have a wonderful time finding sticks and balls left behind by other well-meaning pooches. For more doggy outings in the area, read our guide to Norfolk dog walks.

Belhus Woods Country Park, Essex

 The ancient woodland of Belhus Woods Country Park in Essex is perfect dog walking territory. Meadows and grassland surround beautiful lakes, great for the dog who likes a walk with a view. Brave canines can take a refreshing dip in the lakes and streams and with over 300 acres to explore, you can take a different route each time. One of the lakes is great for nervous doggy swimmers as it has a gradual entrance so that dogs can paddle and swim in gradually rather than belly-flop in as some like to do.

The park is great for walking in winter weather too as the woods are so dense that you can pretty much be sheltered from the rain – dogs won’t care but it’s a selling point for humans. You can enjoy a picnic at the side of the lake in summer and do keep a look out for the flocks of parakeets and jays that have been spotted around the park. There is also an on-site visitor centre where you can buy food to feed the ducks, assuming you have a duck-friendly dog, as well as a cafe.

Sherwood Forest Country Park, Nottinghamshire

While your dog might not understand the story of Robin Hood in its totality, he will still enjoy an afternoon out at Sherwood Forest Country Park in Nottinghamshire. From shorter circular walks to two-hour trails, this 450-acre country park is now part of the Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve and home to a fascinating ecosystem.

There are 900 wise old veteran oak trees which you and your dog will have a great time exploring but do keep dogs under control and on leads around the Visitor Centre. Though the park is open to canines all year round, they do put on some events such as bird-watching walks where dogs are not allowed so do check before. However, it still remains one of the best dog-friendly nature reserves in the UK.  

Elvaston Country Park, Peak District

With over 200 acres of woodland and parkland, just brilliant for hounds who love running around looking for sticks, there are also formal gardens for the more refined pooch at Elvaston Country Park in the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire.

There is a Gothic Revival castle in the grounds for humans to look at and lots of interesting walks around the park and lake. A huge open space where dogs can run off-lead and run after balls is of particular interest but bear in mind that while it has post and rail fencing, it is not completely secure so is only for dogs with good recall. To rest your weary legs, the park has a tea room as well as a gift shop where you can buy souvenirs of your visit For more Peak District dog walks, why not visit our guide?

Dawlish Countryside Park, Devon

With a massive 65 acres of countryside for your pup to roam, Dawlish has one of the best dog-friendly country parks in Devon. Fido will love sniffing out a whole range of scents from a variety of landscapes including wildflower grassland, scrub and woodland, while there are also cleared paths where he can chase a ball to his heart’s content.

The country park is easily accessed, located on the outskirts of Dawlish and with a free car park too. Or you could get the bus to Port Road bus stop which is next to the park and reduce your carbon pawprint. For more engrossing Devon dog walks, why not take a peek at our guide?

Tehidy Country Park, Cornwall

Tehidy Country Park forms the largest area of woodland in West Cornwall which is ripe for exploration by your hound. In fact, there are over 9 miles of paths and 250 acres of woodland and lakes to explore, so if you’ve got an inexhaustible dog, may we suggest a visit?!

Navigate your way around via the series of colour-coded footpaths – the pink trail around the lake is mostly level and a great option if you’ve also got little ones or a pushchair to handle as well as an excitable dog! When you’re all tuckered out, there is a cafe and a picnic area where you can take a breather and enjoy the tranquil and peaceful woodland atmosphere. If you want to run wild and free, we understand – ask your human to and find the woodland areas where you can go lead free. And for more great Cornwall places to go with your dog read our walking guide.

Druridge Bay Country Park, Northumberland

Druridge Bay Country Park is sure to set tails wagging, this dog-friendly destination combines woodland and a lake with 3 miles of year-round, dog-friendly beach where pups can run, and run, and run. Situated around 3 miles south of Amble, Druridge Bay Country Park is easily accessible and has plenty of facilities, including car parks, toilets, a café, and a play area which little ones will love. Take a level, accessible walk around the lake or tackle the dunes to get to the tranquil expanse of beach – the choice is yours.

Druridge Bay is also a great place for a picnic with your pup – either sit on the picnic benches which have views of the lovely lake, or settle down in the dunes to find some shelter from the coastal breeze and soak up the fresh, salty air. We can't think of a more perfect park for dogs. Northumberland is home to even more dog-friendly walks.

Woodchester Park, The Cotswolds

Around 7 miles south of Stroud, in the glorious countryside of The Cotswolds National Landscape, is the idyllic valley that’s home to Woodchester Park. This National Trust-owned site was formerly a landscaped park in the 18^th and 19^th centuries and once had five lakes. Only one remains today – Park Mill Pond – and the ‘lost landscape’ contains a variety of scenery that your dog will love exploring.

You can embark on several waymarked walks, some of which are steep and will certainly tire out even the most active of dogs! There is also a play trail which the kids will love, leading towards a spooky, unfinished Victorian mansion. The Cotswolds is a superb holiday destination for dog-friendly walks. Here's our guide.

Stay at a self-catering holiday cottage near a country park

We hope that you and your pooch now can see the wonderful things that you can do together. Wherever you decide to go, we hope that you all have a pawsome time! WHy not take a look at our collection of dog-friendly holiday cottages across England. Many of them are close to dog-friendly open spaces where you can enjoy quality time together. Where will you stay?